Dual-interface energy transfer multilayer nanoparticles hold great promise for X-ray photonic applications such as tumor therapy, information encryption, and high-resolution imaging due to their tunable multi-modal luminescence. However, current systems remain limited in interfacial structure construction, energy transfer efficiency, and energy regulation under multi-wavelength excitation. Here, we employ dual-interface energy transfer (IET) engineering to precisely construct a core–shell–shell architecture via ion layering and doping control, achieving dual-mode response to X-rays and 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light. This strategy significantly enhances luminescence performance and demonstrates strong potential in multi-modal display, information encryption, and imaging, providing a new material platform for advanced photonic devices.

Mechanoluminescence materials have important promise as smart phosphors, offering wide-ranging applications in sensing technologies. Nevertheless, the creation of photonic materials capable of responding to various external stimuli and demonstrating multiple functionalities in different contexts remains a major challenge. In this research, we synthesized the doped piezoelectric semiconductor CaZnOS, incorporating trinary luminescent centers. This material exhibited multi-modal responses to diverse stimuli, including ultraviolet and near-infrared light, mechanical stress, and temperature variations. Notably, it demonstrated rapid responsiveness to various forms of mechanical stress, with a response time on the millisecond scale and outstanding stability. By adjusting the doping ratio of emitting ions, we achieved modulation of luminescent colors. Furthermore, the integration of dual-mode emission facilitated highly sensitive temperature sensing, independent of external light sources. These findings indicate that our material holds great promise for applications in intelligent sensing of stress and temperature.

To ablate tumor tissues safely and efficiently occupy a high priority in physical cancer therapy. However, it is still a challenge to realize high conversion efficiency of photothermal reagents and multi-functions with low health risks. Herein, nano-heterostructure membrane was synthesized by composting MoSe₂:Nd nanosheets and graphene nanoflakes for improving the therapy efficiency and efficacy. It not only exerts fulfilling photothermal behaviors under 808 nm laser excitation, but also exhibits outstanding laser-induced photodynamic performance due to photogenerated carriers transfer from unique physical heterostructure. With bimodal photothermal/photodynamic therapy potential, the heterojunction structure is incorporated into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film and subcutaneously implanted into animate bodies, which further facilitate biomedical safety and experiment operability in tumor treatments, cutting off the possible risks arising from direct injection. In vitro photothermal properties and biomedical experiments strongly proof the composite film can exert intense photothermal response at laser excitation and possess considerably satisfactory biocompatibility, effectively eliminating tumor tissues without undesirable damage and pathological changes to normal organs.

The acquisition of real-time temperature monitoring during photothermal therapy is significant to prevent unnecessary damage to healthy tissues. However, owing to complexity and diverse factors in microenvironment of cells, there still remain considerable challenges in achieving noninvasive temperature measurement and manipulation in therapeutic process. Herein, biocompatible Nd-doped MoSe₂ nanosheets have been developed on the premise of excellent photothermal effect, which manifest desirable photoluminescence and distinct temperature self-monitored capability in near-infrared I and II bio-windows. Based on thermally coupled energy levels of Nd ions, the real-time monitoring on temperature changes in intracellular environment can be realized which provide instant temperature feedbacks to avoid side effects from hyperthermia. Exclusive of detrimental elements such as F and Pb, the objective nanosheets manifest satisfactory biosafety and can induce effective tumor ablation under near-infrared irradiation with photothermal conversion efficiency up to 40.8%, providing an innovative vision for developing more precisely and safely photothermal approaches.

Remote controlled soft actuators have attracted ever-increasing interest in industrial, medical, robotics, and engineering fields. Soft actuators are charming than normal tools in executing dedicate tasks due to small volume and flexible body they have. However, it remains a challenge to design soft actuator that can adapt to multi-environments under remote stimuli with promising nano materials. Herein, we have developed a kind of near-infrared laser driven soft actuators with multi locomotive modes based on WSe₂ and graphene nanosheets heterojunction. Different locomotion modes are driven by photothermal effect induced deformation to adapt to different working conditions. Moreover, the specially designed gripper driven by pulsed laser can lift a heavy load which is four times of its weight. This work broadens the choice of advanced nanomaterials for photothermal conversion of soft actuators. It is promising to realize applications including photothermal therapy and complex environment detection through the combination of the intelligent robot design and optical fiber system.